There was wonderful focus on empowering women in business and promoting gender equality at this morning’s International Women’s Day event in Enniscorthy.
Co-hosted by Local Enterprise Office Wexford and County Wexford Chamber, the packed room were inspired by Keynote Speaker Bevin Mahon, owner and CEO of Dental Tech, & president of the All-Ireland Business Federation; Joanne Somers, MD Johnsons Ireland (Celtic Linen); Captain Leanne Nolan (Irish Defence Forces); and Emma Connors, The Curious Consultant.
Bevin recounted her journey in assuming the reins at her family owned company, despite being neither a dentist nor a dental technician.
Key takeaways from Bevin Mahon's speech
- There are always opportunities in adversity
- Have a contingency plan.
- Don't hesitate to ask for help.
- Secure all the supports available.
- Surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed.
- Put yourself, your team, and your business forward for awards.
- Meet people where they're at and love them into a new space.
Other key learnings:
- 💡 Curiosity: Have curious open-ended conversations
- 💡 Invest in yourself: Be your own champion & believe in your potential.
- 💡 Help yourself and others: Regularly do one thing to help yourself and one thing to help others.
- 💡 Exercise leadership: Become a mentor – and also seek out a mentor for yourself.
- 💡 Trusted sounding board: Have someone you can trust and use as a sounding board, knowing this person may change throughout your career.
- 💡 Train and Upskill: Continuously train and upskill yourself and facilitate that for your team as well.
The theme for IWD2025 is #AccelerateAction towards gender equality, which was also highlighted by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chairperson of the Women’s Coalition of female county councillors; Wexford County Council’s Head of Enterprise and Economic Development; Paula Roche, CEO, County Wexford Chamber; and Jill Kelliher, Business Adviser, Local Enterprise Office Wexford
